Apparatus for raising and lowering materials



Oct. 23, 1923. 1,4?1',454

- I:'.. J, DOLAN ET AL APPARATUS FOR RAISING 'AND LOWERING MATERIALS Filed July 10 1922 3 Shee'ts-Sheet 1 a Pasc/M/ 7575 3511: 21k. Gum/mm Oct. 23,1923. "1,471,454

E. J.'DOLAN ET'AL APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING MATERIALS Filed July 10 1922 s Sheet-She et 2 Eqi avwentow Edward J 00/0 Pascfia/ Tazar'e E. J. DOLAN ET AL I I APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING MATERIALS Filed July 10 1922 s Sheets-Sheet 5 June/"bow versa, by manual labor.

antes EDWARD J. noLAiv'ANn PAsoHAr. masons, or N W YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND LOWERINGMATERIALS.

Application filed July 10,

T all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that we, EDWA D J. DOLAN and PASCHAL TATORE, citizensof the United States, and residents of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Raising and Lowering Materials, of which the following is a specification. V

This invention relates to apparatus for raising and lowering-material of various kinds and more particularly thevarious pieces of scenery, technically referred to drops or flats, which are employed in the different acts and scenes during the presentation of a play orotherivperformance of a theatrical nature.-

The invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the raising and lowering of drop-scenes, but it must be clearly understood that it is applicable to various fields of industry where such movements of units employed therein are required.

Heretofore, with the'exception of one or two electrically operated devices, the various drop-scenes which go to make up a scene in a play or the like havebeen lowered from above-the top of the stage, where they are kept whennot in use, down within the view of the proscenium and vice The object of the present invention is to provide improved and simplified electrically-operated means for thispurpose, which will be efiicient in operation, and comparatively inexpensive to install and operate.

The invention consists in the mechanism and in'the combination and arrangement of its various parts to be hereinafter described and finallyembodied in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one embodiment ofthe invention, and in which corresponding'characters of'reference indicate like'parts in the several views p I Figure 1 is a front elevationof a devicev constructedaccording to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view, taken at a right angle to F 1, showing partly in elevation and partly in section, "the mechanism employed for raising and lowering individually different drop-scenes.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of themeclhanism shown in'Fig. 2. s

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, on an enlarged It must 1-922. ..Seria1,No'. 573,980..

scale, of- Fig. 2. I s

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4.

' .Fig. 6is a vertical section, onv an enlarged scale, of an electric circuit make-andbreak device shown iii-Fig.2, and,

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of the wiring of the electric circuitsneces sary. to operate themechanism shown in the other figures of the drawings. Referring more particularly to Figurefl of'the drawings, -the numeral 1 indicates the proscenium opening, 2 adropscene low ered into place therein, and 3 the front members of the main supporting framework, which latter is constructed and arranged to support :the ,mechanism hereinafter to be described in the most convenient manner, and preferably comprises'the said two front members disposed at either' side of the stage and two similarly positioned members at the back of the stage at either side thereof.

Each drop-scene is detachably connected. as by the usual means 4, to preferably four ropes 5 as shown as is also usual, and these ropes pass respectively ov'erpulleys 6 rotatable in bearings carried by a cross beam 7. Each rope is then led "to and around an upper block Sand alowerblock 9 and its end is hooked on to the'u'pper block 8 inthe well known manner. V

The upper blocks8' are of the usual welt known construction, those shown in the drawings being of the triple-sheave type and are connected to and suspended from an inwardly-projectingbracket 10 carried by and-extending betweenthe front'an'd rear membersof the main frame at one sideof the stage, but the lower blocks 9are constructed as hereinafter described, and form a par'tof the drop-scene raising and lowering mechanism hereinafter to be explained. Such mechanism, in Figure l, is indicated in a general manner by the numeral 11 and part of the mechanism shown in from such figure it will beseen that the same is supported upon a platform 12.carried by the same front and rear membersof the main frame at one end of the stage as carry the bracket 10 i i i Such mechanismwill' now be described in detail with reference more particularly toFigures 2 to 6 inclusive of the drawings.

that the' 'various scenes are arranged one be first of all be understoodhowever, i 7

till

The upper end of the casing 17 is provided hind the other as in manually operated devices; that each drop-scene is connected as above stated by four ropes to a similar number of upper blocks 8 and lower blocks 9, and that, according to the present invention, mechanism is provided for mechanically raising or lowering each drop-scene individually by electric power. As the mechanism for each drop-scene is the same, a description of one will answer for all such mechanisms. 7 a

As will be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the four ropes 5 which support the drop-scene 2 pass over sheaves housed within the lower block 9 which is rectangular in shape, and such block is centrally bored and the bore screw-threaded to receive, and work up and down upon, a screw 13. From Figure 2 it will be apparent that each individual rope 5 is passed over three sheaves arranged side by side in the lower block 9, so that with the construction shown there will be twelve sheaves in all in said block to support one drop-scene.

.The upper end of screw 13 works in a bearing formed integral with a plate 14 adapted. to be secured in any convenient manner to a cross beam 15 carried by the main frame or to a wall at one side of the stage. The lower end of the screw is of reduced diameter to form a plain shaft 16 centrally disposed within the casing 17 provided with openings 18 (see Figure 1) at either side for the purpose hereinafter described.

with an integral extension 19 bored to permit the shaft 16 to pass therethrough and freely revolve therein and forms, together with a sleeve 20 on the underside thereof, a thrust bearing. Below the thrust bearing on the shaft 16 there is loosely mounted one part 21 of a clutch (which acts both as a clutch and as a gear as later described) provided with downwardly projecting pins 22 adapted to engage projecting studs 23 formed on the upper face of another part 24 of the clutch which is keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 16 butiwhich at the same time is capable of longitudinal movement thereon. On its under face the part 24 of the clutch is provided with a second series of studs 25--this time downwardly projecting adapted'to be engaged by upwardly projecting pins 26 formed on a third part 27 of the clutch member which is free to revolve on the shaft 16 but prevented from longitudinal movement thereon by a collar 27" fixed thereto. A similar collar 21* prevents longitudinal movement of the clutch member 21 on saidshaft.

The lower block 9 works in and is guided by guide rails 28 which are bolted to casing 17 and bracket 14.

Within the casing 17 at diametrically opposed points are arranged a pair of solenoids similar angle,.a rod 36. As the solenoids 30,

31 are reversed with respect to each other the rods 36 will consequently operate in opposite directions but both are provided for the purpose of releasing at the desired times a brake band 37 engaging the clutch member 24 at or about its center and normally preventing the longitudinal movement of the clutch member 24 on the shaft 16. The brake band 37 grips the said member 24 normally through the action of springs 38, one end of each of which bears against the inside of the casing 17 and the other end against lugs 39 formed integral with each end of the band 37 which is, as will be seen from Fig. 5, formed in two parts. Nuts are preferably provided for adjusting the tension of said springs. The rods 36-which are reduced conically about the center of their length are adapted to open out the two lugs 39 at opposite sides 'of the band 37 respectively in order to release the said band and consequently the clutch member 24 at the times desired.

The operation of the mechanism so far described may be explained as follows The solenoids 30 and31 respectively form part of two different electric circuits, so that when it is desired to operate either solenoid it is only necessary to close the switch in the proper circuit. Suppose then, for example, that the solenoid 30 is energized in this manner; its core 32 will be drawn thereinto and the conical portion of its connected rod 36 will open out the lugs 39 at the right hand side of Fig. 4, thus opening the brake band 37 and releasing the clutch member 24. This member will not however be moved longitudinally on the shaft 16 immediately but will only be moved in a downward direction thereon on the connecting piece 35 coming into contact with the coupling 33 fixed to said member. Now, means are provided for rotating the clutch member 27 constantly on but independently of the shaft 16 as will hereinafter appear and therefore on the clutch member 24 engaging the member 27 through the medium of the studs 25 and pins 26, the member 24 will be revolved by the member 27 and hence the shaft 16 and its integral screw 13 will be turned. This will move the block 9 vertically on the screw and so alter the length of the ropes 5 connected thereto and to the blocks 8, which variation will in turn move the drop-scene in one direction. When it is desired to move the same scene in the opposite direction the solenoid 31 will be energized through the closing of the appropriate circuit and the same action stead of downwardly to engage the member 27 as before. In this case the member 21 also constantly rotates on the shaft 16 .(by

means to be later described) but in a direc-- tion opposite to the member 27; hence the screw 13 will rotate in the opposite direction and the block 9 will also move in the reverse direction.

A. spring 40 is provided for returning the clutch member 24 to its normal. position from engagement with the clutch member 27 after the electric circuit has been broken on the completion of the desiredmovement of the scene. The clutch member 24 will return to its normal position from engagement with the member 21 by gravity -hence no spring is provided for this movement.

.To return the solenoid cores 32, their cons necting pieces 35 and rods 36 to their normal positions, a spring 41 isprovided on each of the latter, one end of each spring taking a bearing against a bracket 4:2;sup-1 porting the solenoid and the other end.

against the end of the conically reduced part of the rod 36. v v y It is necessary, as above pointed out, to"

provide mechanism for raising and lowermg each drop-scene individually. In Figs.

2 and 3 mechanism for raising and lowering five diflerent drop-scenes is shown by way of example only, and it must be understood that the apparatus is so constructed as will readily permit of handling the necessary number of individual scenes required in any particular theatrical production; In order to be able to handle the tota number of drop-scenes in an efiicient manner,

the following driving mechanism is em-.

ployed:

An electric motor 50 (see Fig. 7) is provided and its shaft 51 (see Fig. 2) isprovided with a bevel wheel 52, which meshes with clutch member 21 of one of the dropscene shifting mechanisms hereinbefore 'described, preferably, as shown in Fig. 2, with the center mechanism of the group. The clutch member 21 of this articularmechanism is formed with a hor1zontally-disp0sed bevel wheel 54 and an integral spur wheel 55. The clutch members 21 of the remaining mechanisms are .merely formed with a spur wheel which gear with one another so that the drive of the motor shaft is comniunicated to all the clutch members 21. This will provide means whereby each screw "13 can be rotated in one direction on the clutch members 24being brought into engagement with their individual members 21. In order to provide means for rotatlng the individual screws in the opposite direction,

the spur wheel 55of the rear mechanism shown in F igs, 2 and 3 (see-right-hand side the clutch member 27 of the rear mechanism,

which clutch member also includes a spur wheel 60. The remaining clutch members 27 are each formed with a spur wheel 60, and hence motion is imparted to all the mem; bers 27 through the trainvof wheels so pro vided. Y s x This arrangement permits of the motor 50 being started and keptrunning continuously as long as there are drop-scenes to be moved; it is onlythen necessary, to move any one drop-scene to close the proper electric circuits to energize the proper solenoids and move the related clutch members 2 1 into 7 engagementwith either of their co -operating members 21or 27 thus bringing about readily be appreciated that the solenoid 30 g r I or 31 of each mechanism can be energized at will, to raise or lower a drop-scene, by closing the switch to complete a circuit through the terminal 71 or 72. In practice each switch 70 would be identified by a reference to the particular drop-scene which it controls. Further description of this par-. ticular figure is not deemed necessary as the connections willsbe readily understood by, thoseskilled in the art.

'Apart from the means for making and breaking the individual circuits just described, there is provided automatic. means for breaking any circuit, in the case, for example,where any particular circuit has been made and then overlooked eitherthrough; neglect or other causes.

To accomplish this, on either side of each screw 13 is arranged a rod'8O ofany suitable non-conducting material, such aszwood. The upper end of each rod slides in abear ing 81 and the lower end of each' rod is guided by and free to move verticallv in a small contact box 82 also made of non-conducting material, but provided'with two copper contact pieces 82* to which are respectively connected two ends of the lead 83; in one case and of the lead 84 in the other case (s'ee also Fig. 7 The lower extremity of each rod is provided with a tip 85 of aconducting material, such as coppeizx bility of being fixed thereto in any desired position by a set screw 86 is a stop 87 which extends into the path of the block 9. Each block 9 as above indicated is provided with two such rods and stops for the reason that the block can operate in either direction it is necessary to provide one stop above and the other below the block, that is to ay, one stop 87 must be provided in each of the ing into contact with the stop 87 the latter will be depressed and with it the rod 80, and the conducting tip will be forced down into the contact box 82 out of contact with the said contacts 82*, thus breaking the circuit and stopping the revolution of the screw and consequently the movement of the drop-scene. A spring 88 returns the rod 80 to its normal position on the release of the stop 87. The operation of the device at the right-hand side of the said screw 13 is the same in principle as that above described, but in this case as the stop 8'? is above the block 9 the rod will be raised on said block moving upwardly into contact with the stop. Furthermore, no spring 88 is necessary here as the rod will fall by gravity on the release of said stop.

It will be readily appreciated'that the stops 87 may be fixed, by means of the set screws 86, in any position on their rods so that the movement of the various dropscenes can be arrested at any point in their travel that may be desirable. i

VJhat we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for-raising and lowering a unit of material comprising two electric circuits, solenoid in each circuit, a shaft, :1 pair of spaced-apart clutch members free to revolve on said shaft but fixed against longitudinal movement thereon, means for rotating said clutch members in opposite directions, a third clutch member keyed to the shaft but capable of longitudinal movement thereon located between said two first-mew tioned clutch members, a brake bnlNllIOl mally holding said third clutch member against longitudinal movement on the shaft. means carried by the core of each solenoid. for releasing the brake band and drawing the third clutch member into engagement with either of the two spaced-apart clutch members to rotate the shaft in one direction or the other, an endless screw integral with the said shaft, a tudina-lly on said screw on its revolution,

lock adapted to move longi ravines flexible connections from said block to the unit of material, and means for making and breaking the electric circuits, for the pur pose stated. A v

2. Apparatus for raising and lowering a unit of material comprising two ele'ctricc'ircuits, a solenoid in each of said circuits, a shaft, a clutch member fixed against rotation but'capable oflongitudinal movement on said shaft, means for connecting said clutch member to the two solenoids, two further clutch members respectively located at opposite ends of the first-mentioned clutch member and free to revolve on the shaft but fixed against longitudinal movement thereon, means for rotating said two clutch members on the'shaft in opposite directions, an endless screw integral. with sa shaft, a block adapted to move longitu i nally on the screw, flexible connections from saidblock to the unit to be operated, and meansfor closingeither electric circuit to energize either'one or the other solenoid to move the first-mentioned clutch member into engagement with one of the two further clutch members to rotate the screw in one direction or the other and raise or lower the unit of material accordingly.

Apparatus for raising and lowering a unit of material comprising two electric circuits, a solenoid in each circuit, a a pair of spaced-apart clutch members free to revolve on said shaft but fixed against longi tudinal movement thereon, means for rc tating said clutch members in opposite di rections, a third clutch member keyed to the shaft but capable of longitudinal movement thereon located between said two firstmentioned clutch members, a'brake band normally holding said third clutch member against longitudinal movement on the shaft, means. carried by the core of each solenoid for releasing the brake band and drawing the third clutch member into engagement with either of the two spaced apart clutch members to rotate the shaft in one direction or the other, an endless screw integral with the said shaft, a block adapted to move longitudinally on said screw on its revolution, flexible connections from said block to the unit of material, means for making and breaking; the electric circuits. and means for automatically breaking; such circuits after a predetermined movement of the block, for the purpose stated.

4. Apparatus for raising and lowering material, comprising a plurality of mechanisms to be driven including a shaft for each unit of material, a driving member having a shaft, a pair of spur wheels free to rotate on each mechanism shaft, connections whereby mot-ion imparted to the driving member shaft will be imparted to the spur wheels, a clutch member located between the pair of spur wheels on each shaft,

two electric circuits for each mechanism, a solenoid in each circuit, a brake band normally holding each clutch member against longitudinal movement on its shaft, means carried by the core of each solenoid for releasing the brake band and drawing the clutch member into engagement with either of the two spur wheels of each mechanism to rotate the shaft in one direct-ion or the other, an endless screw integral with each mechanism shaft, a block adapted to move longitudinally on each screw on its revolution, flexible connections from each block to a unit of material, and means for making and breaking the electric circuits of each mechanism.

5. ln apparatus for raising and lowering material, a shaft, a pair of spaced-apart spur wheels free to rotate thereon, means for rotating said Wheels in opposite directions, a clutch member located between said spur wheels and keyed to the shaft but free to move longitudinally thereon, a brake band normally engaging said clutch member to prevent said longitudinal movement, two electric circuits, a solenoid in each circuit, means for connecting said clutch member to the two solenoids, and means for closing either electric circuit to energize either one or the other solenoid to release the brake band and move the clutch member into engagement with either one or the other spur wheel to rotate the shaft in one direction or the other.

6. In apparatus for raising and lowering material, a shaft, a pair of spaced-apart spur wheels free to rotate thereon, means for rotating said wheels in opposite directions, a clutch member located between said spur wheels and keyed to the shaft but free to move longitudinally thereon, a brake band normally engaging said clutch member to prevent said longitudinal movement, two electric circuits, a solenoid in each circuit, means for connecting said clutch member to the two solenoids, and means for closing either electric circuit to energize either one or the other solenoid to release the brake band and after a lapse of time to move the clutch member into engagement with either one or the other spur wheel to rotate the shaft in one direction or the other.

7. In apparatus for raising and lowering material, a shaft, a pair of spaced-apart spur wheels free to rotate thereon, means for rotating said wheels in opposite directions, a clutch member located between said spur wheels and keyed to the shaft but free to move longitudlnally thereon, a brake band normally engaging said clutch member to prevent said longitudinal movement, two electrlc circuits, a solenoid in each circuit,

a pair of couplings on the clutch, a rod disposed parallel to each solenoid and engaging the brake band, connecting pieces connecting each rod to the adjacent solenoid, means for closing either electric circuit to energize either one or the other solenoid to release,

by its parallel rod, the brake band, and after a lapse of time to move the clutch member, through the instrumentality of the connected piece, into engagement with either one or the other spur wheel to rotate the shaft in means carriedby the core of each solenoid for releasing the brake band and drawing the third clutch member into engagement with either of the two spaced-apart clutch members to rotate the shaft in one direction or the other, an endless screw integral with the said shaft, a block adapted to move longitudinally on said screw on its revolution, flexible connections from said block to the unit of material, means for making and breaking the electric circuits, means for automatically breaking such circuits after a predetermined movement of the block, and means for altering the position at which such automatic break is made.

Signed at New York in the county of and State of New York this first day of July, A. D. 1922.

EDWARD J. DOLAN. PASCHAL TATORE. 

